Happy Birthday to the Public Universal Friend

by James Admans

November 29, 2022

Happy Birthday to the Public Universal Friend (born Nov 29, 1752), known today as a figure of transgender history. The Public Universal Friend suffered an illness in 1776 and claimed to have died and been reanimated as a genderless spirit with the new name Public Universal Friend, also known as simply The Friend or P.U.F., citing Isaiah 62:2, "a new name which the mouth of the Lord hath named."
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The friend rejected gendered pronouns and dressed androgynously. When someone asked if the Friend was male or female, the Friend replied "I am that I am."
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The P.U.F. identified as an agent of God following the illness, sent to preach in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern Massachusetts. The Friend preached against predestination and election theology, and for access to the light of God regardless of gender, the abolition of American slavery, and the importance of humility and hospitality. The Friend attracted many followers who eventually became The Society of Universal Friends.